Developing Policy Advocacy Strategies: Facilitator's Manual

Government in 2013 to strengthen the sustainability of national HIV and AIDS responses by increasing the capacity of civil society organizations (CSOs) to conduct advocacy that helps local health systems more effectively address HIV. The LCI is implemented through two funding mechanisms: direct funding of CSOs and funding of capacity-building technical assistance. Organizations were funded in Botswana, Cameroon, the Caribbean, Central Asian Republics, Dominican Republic, Ghana, Guyana, India, Mozambique, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Thailand (including partners in Laos and Vietnam), Uganda, and Zimbabwe. Grants are three-year awards running from 2013/14 to 2016/17 and made by USAID and CDC. The focus of many of the grants is addressing policy barriers that impede access to HIV and other health services among key populations (KPs). The LCI works with country teams to assess and strengthen the organizational development and advocacy capacity of LCI grantees. Technical assistance supports grantees to implement the program and enhances their policy and advocacy programming with a focus on organizational sustainability. This learning package was developed to support the work of several LCI consortia implementing LCI programs and focusing on policy advocacy. The workshop, Developing Policy Advocacy Strategies, is a five-day learning package designed for face-to-face workshops focused on developing an advocacy strategy, specifically to advocate for policy change to address barriers to HIV prevention, care, and treatment services. Although it was designed for local organizations working on HIV and AIDS advocacy issues, the activities and examples could be adapted by subject matter experts to address other health or social welfare issues. The workshop builds upon numerous existing curricula and is tailored to meet the specific needs of LCI grantees. The learning package consists of a facilitator's manual, PowerPoint slides, and participant handouts to use during the sessions and as job aids after the workshop concludes. The facilitator's manual was developed by a collaborative effort, drawing on the expertise of multiple staff, the experiences of several LCI grantees, and the review of key existing resources on policy advocacy. The facilitator's manual is designed to support the work of several LCI consortia implementing LCI programs and focusing on policy advocacy. These LCI-funded consortia, led by the LCI grantees Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Board, Raks Thai Foundation, and Botswana Family Welfare Association, work in Botswana, Cameroon, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. Under the APC project, FHI 360 provided technical assistance to these organizations to strengthen their advocacy and organizational capacity. The workshop is designed to equip participants with the skills and knowledge necessary to develop effective policy advocacy strategies. The facilitator's manual provides a comprehensive guide for facilitators to lead the workshop and support participants in developing their advocacy skills. The manual includes a detailed outline of the workshop sessions, participant handouts, and additional resources for facilitators. The workshop focuses on developing an advocacy strategy to address barriers to HIV prevention, care, and treatment services. The facilitator's manual provides a framework for participants to analyze the policy environment, identify key stakeholders, and develop a comprehensive advocacy plan. The manual also includes case studies and examples of successful advocacy campaigns to illustrate key concepts and strategies. The facilitator's manual is a valuable resource for organizations working on HIV and AIDS advocacy issues, as well as for subject matter experts working on other health or social welfare issues. The manual provides a comprehensive guide for developing effective policy advocacy strategies and can be adapted to meet the specific needs of different organizations and contexts.